Channel hopper for rod-like articles, filler for loading a container with rod-like articles, and unloader for emptying of such container

ABSTRACT

The object of the application is a channel hopper (1, 1′) for rod-like articles (4) wherein the flow of the rod-like articles (4) through the channels (2) of the hopper takes place in the form of a mass flow under the influence of gravity, comprising: at least two channels (2) for storage of rod-like articles (4), the channel being provided with an inlet (2A) and an outlet (2B) for rod-like articles and with side walls (8, 9), whereas the channel (2) is situated between limiting regions (6), and the limiting region (6) comprises a limiting element (7, 11) having a lateral surface which limits the space of the channel (2), and movable supporting elements adapted to change their configuration from open configuration to closed configuration and vice versa, whereas in the open configuration the flow of rod-like articles (4) through the channels (2) is enabled.

BACKGROUND

The object of the invention is a channel hopper for rod-like articles, afiller for loading a container with rod-like articles, and an unloaderfor emptying of such container.

In the tobacco industry, apparatuses for transferring rod-like articlesare commonly used, whereas the rod-like articles may be transferred inthe form of a mass flow as well as in containers. Various conveyors,hoppers and channels are used in production lines. The inventionconcerns a channel hopper which may be used among others in fillers andunloaders of containers for rod-like articles, referred to as trays. Theinvention may also be used in other apparatuses in which the rod-likearticles are temporarily stored and transferred to successive operatingstations.

The tray fillers used in the tobacco industry work cyclically, whereasin one working cycle one tray is filled. Tray fillers for loading ofsingle-chamber and multi-chamber trays are known. The known tray fillersare provided with hoppers for storage of rod-like articles and fillingunits which enable rod-like articles to flow from the hopper to achamber in the case of a single-chamber tray or to multiple chambers ofa tray in the case of a multi-chamber tray.

The patent EP1955604B1 has disclosed a tray filler adapted to fillingmulti-chamber trays, the filler being provided with a multi-channelhopper and a filling unit having sections for individual channels of thehopper. The partitions limiting the channels of the hopper have twowalls. The filling unit is provided with two rows of rollers which mayrotate and move relative to one another, moreover, they are arranged tomake a reciprocating motion in the horizontal direction. The fillingunit is adapted to alternate starting and blocking of the article flowthrough the channels of the hopper to the chambers of the tray, thefilling unit being situated underneath the tray. After blocking theflow, the filling unit supports the rod-like articles in the channels ofthe hopper. The disclosed tray filler may also be used to fill asingle-chamber tray.

The patent EP2744358B1 also presents a tray filler adapted to fillmulti-chamber trays and is provided with a multi-channel hopper forrod-like articles and a filling unit situated underneath the hopper, thefilling unit also having sections for individual channels of the hopper.The partitions limiting the channels of the hopper have two walls,whereas the channels of the hopper do not have a back wall.

The patent EP2645888B1 discloses a filler of a multi-segment tray,whereas a filling unit built in a similar way as in the above documentsis additionally arranged to make a vertical movement along the chambersof the multi-chamber tray. The filling unit in its upper position issituated underneath the hopper. Similarly, the filling unit alternatelystarts and blocks the flow of rod-like articles and supports thearticles after blocking the flow.

The document DE3103836A1 shows a tray filler for filling of asingle-chamber tray. The tray filler is provided with a single-chamberhopper and a filling unit built in a similar way as described above. Thefilling unit is situated underneath the hopper.

The patent EP2079327B1 shows a method for emptying a channel hopperwherein individual channels are emptied successively one after another,channels are being emptied through slidable throat, which is situatedunderneath the hopper.

In known channel hoppers provided with filling units there is a riskthat rod-like articles are gripped by the filling unit so that theypartially project outside the filling unit and are damaged, moreoverthey may slip out in an uncontrolled manner and disturb the tray fillingprocess.

SUMMARY

The object of the invention is a channel hopper for rod-like articleswherein the flow of the rod-like articles through the channels of thehopper takes place in the form of a mass flow under the influence ofgravity, comprising: at least two channels for storage of rod-likearticles, the channel being provided with an inlet and an outlet forrod-like articles and with side walls. The channel is situated betweenlimiting regions, and a limiting region comprises a limiting elementhaving a lateral surface which limits the space of the channel. Thehopper comprises movable supporting elements adapted to change theirconfiguration from open configuration to closed configuration and viceversa, whereas in the open configuration the flow of rod-like articlesthrough the channels is enabled, and in the closed configuration theflow of rod-like articles through the channels is blocked. The hopperaccording to the invention is characterized in that at least one movablesupporting element in the open configuration takes a position at leastpartially in the limiting region, and in the closed configuration takesa position at least partially inside the channel.

The hopper according to the invention is further characterized bycomprising two movable supporting elements which in the openconfiguration take a position at least partially in adjacent limitingregions, and in the closed configuration take a position at leastpartially in the channel between adjacent limiting regions.

The hopper according to the invention is further characterized in thatthe width of the limiting region is smaller than the width of thechannel, in particular the width of the limiting region is in the rangebetween 10% and 50% of the channel width.

The hopper according to the invention is further characterized in thatthe movable supporting element is situated inside the side walls.

The hopper according to the invention is further characterized in thatthe movable supporting element is situated in whole in the limitingregion.

The hopper according to the invention is further characterized in thatthe movable supporting element has the form of a cylindrical surfacesector.

The hopper according to the invention is further characterized in thatthe movable supporting element has a guiding roller.

The hopper according to the invention is further characterized in thatthe movable supporting element has the form of a bar.

The hopper according to the invention is further characterized in thatthe movable supporting element is adapted to make a swing movement.

The hopper according to the invention is further characterized in thatthe movable supporting element is adapted to make a linear movement.

The hopper according to the invention is further characterized in thatthe movable supporting element in the open configuration is situated atleast partially inside a limiting element.

The hopper according to the invention is further characterized in thatthe movable supporting element in the open configuration is situated atleast partially under the limiting element.

The hopper according to the invention is further characterized in that aguiding element made of a fabric, a plastic material or a metal mesh isattached to the limiting element.

The hopper according to the invention is further characterized in thatthe channel has a constant volume.

The object of the invention is also a filler for loading a containerwith rod-like articles comprising a conveyor of empty containers, a unitfor moving the container being filled, a conveyor of filled containers,a mass flow hopper for rod-like articles which is characterized by beingprovided with a channel hopper according to the invention.

The object of the invention is also an unloader for emptying a containerof the rod-like articles comprising a conveyor of filled containers, ahandling unit for turning of the filled container, a conveyor of emptycontainers characterized by being provided with a channel hopperaccording to the invention.

The channel hopper according to the invention ensures very effectivetray filling where the risk of article damage and uncontrolled slippingout of the articles from the filling unit is eliminated.

DRAWINGS

The object of the invention is shown in detail in a preferred embodimentin a drawing in which:

FIG. 1 shows a channel hopper for a multi-chamber tray;

FIG. 2 shows a channel hopper for a single-chamber tray;

FIGS. 3, 3 a, 4, 5 show embodiments of cylindrically shaped supportingelements;

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the cylindrically shaped supportingelements provided with guiding rollers;

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of the cylindrically shaped supportingelements, with directing elements being situated in the channel;

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the cylindrically shaped supportingelements, with a rotating roller being situated in the channel;

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of an individual cylindrically shapedsupporting element;

FIGS. 10, 11, 12 show embodiments of supporting elements in the form ofbars;

FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of the supporting elements in the form offlat springs;

FIG. 14 shows a filler for multi-chamber trays;

FIG. 15 shows an unloader for single-chamber trays;

FIG. 16 shows the channel hopper of the unloader of FIG. 15.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a channel hopper 1 having channels 2 and a multi-chambertray 3 at a position as at the moment of start of filling of themulti-chamber tray 3 with rod-like articles 4, whereas the channels 2are shown without supporting elements which are used to start or blockthe flow of rod-like articles in the channels 2, i.e. which fulfill suchfunction as a filling unit in tray fillers known from the prior art andwill be further discussed below in this description. The rod-likearticles 4 are delivered to the channel hopper 1 from above throughinlets 2A, whereas only exemplary rod-like articles 4 are shown in thechannels 2 of the channel hopper 1 and above the hopper 1. The channel 2is defined i.e. limited on its sides by limiting regions 6. The limitingregion 6 between the adjacent channels 2 comprises a limiting element 7in the form of two walls 8 and 9. The outermost limiting region 6′ onthe left side comprises the limiting element 7′ in the form of the wall9′. The outermost limiting region 6″ on the right side comprises thelimiting element 7″ in the form of the wall 8′. The channel 2 is limitedon its sides by the surfaces 8A, 9A of the walls 8, 8′, 9, 9′ of thelimiting elements 7, 7′, 7″. The channel 2 has the inlet 2A throughwhich the rod-like articles are delivered to the channel 2 and theoutlet 2B through which the rod-like articles are fed into the chambers3A of the multi-chamber tray 3. The rod-like articles 4 which aredelivered to the channel hopper 1 are collected in a not shown hopperabove the inlets 2A of the channels 2. In the shown position of the tray3, the bottom of the chamber 3A of the multi-chamber tray 3 is situatedjust below the outlet 2B of the channel 2.

For the sake of clarity it shall be indicated that the limiting region 6refers to this part of the apparatus according to the invention wherethe limiting elements 7 are located. Limiting elements 7 may compriseone or two side walls and additional elements or parts of elements whichare supposed to limit the flow of rod-like articles via the channels 2.

FIG. 2 shows the channel hopper 1′ having the channels 2 and asingle-chamber tray 10 at a position as at the moment of start offilling of the single-chamber tray 10 with the rod-like articles 4,whereas the channels 2 are shown without the supporting elements used tostart or block the rod-like articles in the channels 2. The channel 2 isdefined i.e. limited on its sides by limiting regions 6. The limitingregion 6 between the adjacent channels 3 comprises the limiting element11 in the form of a single wall. The outermost limiting region 6′, 6″also comprises the limiting element 11 in the form of a single wall. Thechannel 2 is limited on its sides by the surfaces 11A, 11B of thelimiting elements 11. The channel 2 has the inlet 2A and the outlet 2B.The rod-like articles 4 which are delivered to the channel hopper 2 arecollected above the inlets 2A of the channels 2. The outlets 2B aredirected towards the inside of the chamber 10A of the single-chambertray 10.

A channel hopper according to the invention is provided with supportingelements which fulfill the function of filling units known in the priorart, whereas they may take an open configuration in which the rod-likearticles flow downwards along the channels of the hopper to the traybeing filled, and a closed configuration in which the rod-like articlesare blocked in the channels of the hopper.

FIG. 3 shows two adjacent channels 2 of the channel hopper 1 for fillingof the multi-chamber tray 3. The channel hopper 1 is provided withrotational supporting elements 20, 21 which are shown in the closedconfiguration, i.e. the supporting elements 20, 21 block the rod-likearticles 4 in the channel 3. The supporting elements 20, 21 have theform of cylindrical surface sectors. In the closed configuration, thesupporting elements 20, 21 take a position partially in the channel 2and partially in arched grooves 22, 23 made in the walls 8, 9 of thelimiting element 7, i.e. take a position partially in the limitingregion 6 and partially in the channel 2, whereas the supporting elements20, 21 may be fully inserted into the channel 2. FIG. 4 shows twoadjacent channels 2 of the channel hopper 1′ for filling of thesingle-chamber tray 10, whereas the single-chamber tray 10 is not shown.As shown in FIG. 5, in the open configuration the supporting elements20, 21 are fully inserted into the grooves 22, 23, i.e. they are fullysituated in the limiting region 6 within the walls 8, 9 of the limitingelement 7. The supporting elements 20, 21 may partially project into thechannel 2, which may facilitate the subsequent change from open toclosed configuration. The supporting elements 20, 21 may make swingmovements in such a way that the flow of the rod-like articles 4 isblocked symmetrically on both sides. The supporting elements 20, 21 maymake swing movements in such a way that the flow of the rod-likearticles 4 is asymmetrically closed as shown in FIG. 6, further, theymay move at different speeds during the change of configuration, whereasthey may move at different speeds during the change from closed to openand from open to closed configuration. The supporting elements 20, 21may make swing reciprocating movements before reaching the targetposition. The supporting elements 20, 21 may be situated at any heightin the channel 2, whereas preferably they are situated in the lower partof the channel, as close as possible to the outlet 2B so that therod-like articles 4 are fed into the tray from the smallest possibleheight.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the width d1 of the channel 2 isgreater than the width d2 of the limiting region 6. Tests showed acorrect operation of the supporting elements, i.e. an effective changefrom closed to open configuration and vice versa when the width d2constituted 10%, 20%, 25%, 30% and 50% of the width d1. Also the casesin which d2 was above 50% of the width d1 were tested, however, suchsolutions are characterized by a low efficiency. When the width d2constitutes 20% of the width d1, the flow of the rod-like articlesthrough the channels is the slowest. The rod like articles 4 such asfilter rods and cigarettes are wrapped in various wrapping materials,whereas they show a great variability of the coefficient of friction ofthe articles against one another. The rod-like articles 4 of a lowcoefficient of friction may be fed through a narrow channel to widechambers of the multi-chamber tray as shown in FIG. 3a . The supportingelements in the left channel 2 are in the open configuration, while thesupporting elements in the right channel are in the closedconfiguration. In the embodiment shown, the width d1 of the channel 2and the width d2 of the limiting region 6 have values close to eachother, whereas it is possible to build such channel hopper in which thewidth d1 constitutes 20% of the width d2. In the hopper in which suchproportions are applied the flow of the rod-like articles 4 through thechannels is the fastest, whereas in the widened outlet 2B of the channel2, where the limiting element is provided with truncations 5, the flowof the rod-like articles 4 has a smaller speed. Due to the use of thetruncations 5, the rod-like articles are uniformly distributed withinthe channel width.

The supporting elements 20, 21 may be provided with rollers 24 (FIG. 4)which facilitate inserting the supporting elements 20, 21 between therod-like articles 4. The supporting elements 20, 21 may be provided withguiding rollers 25 (FIG. 6) with a diameter close to the diameter of therod-like articles 4, whereas the guiding rollers 25 may be designed asrotational and may have a drive to rotate them during the change ofconfiguration, which facilitates the movement of the supporting elements20, 21 during the change of configuration both from open to closed andvice versa. Furthermore, the rotational guiding rollers 25 cause thatthe rod-like articles 4 which may be squeezed between the rollers 25 areremoved from between the rollers 25.

The channel 2 of the channel hopper may be further provided withdirecting elements 26 shown in FIG. 7, whereas in the left channel thesupporting elements 20, 21 take a position in the open configuration,and in the right channel in the closed configuration. The directingelements 26 have the task to form gently shaped lateral guides for therod-like articles during the change of configuration of the supportingelements 20, 21. The directing elements 26 form surfaces with curvatureshaving radiuses which enable the rod-like articles to move smoothly,moreover, the moving rod-like articles are not damaged. As shown in theright channel 2 in FIG. 7, the supporting elements 20, 21 do not have totouch each other to close the flow of the articles because the closingis effected by the directing elements 26 and there is no risk that anarticle which has slipped in between the ends of the supporting elements20, 21 is squeezed. Generally, the directing elements 26 ensure gentlehandling of the rod-like articles in the channel hopper. The directingelements 26 are designed as flexible elements i.e. they are deformableunder the influence of the weight of the rod-like articles in thechannel, for example they may be made of fabric, plastic material, metalmesh or another material ensuring gentle guiding of the rod-likearticles.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment wherein the channel 2 of the hopper 1 isprovided with a rotational roller 27 which rotates during the changefrom open to closed configuration of the supporting elements 20, 21,which results in a smooth flow of the rod-like articles 4 and eliminatessituations in which the rod-articles are squeezed between the ends ofthe supporting elements 20, 21 which rotate around the axis 28. Theroller 27 is situated centrally in the channel 2. The roller 27 may haveits own drive mechanism and alternately rotate in opposite directionsduring the change of configuration, which is important primarily duringthe change from open to closed configuration. In the left channel 2 inthe open configuration the supporting elements 20, 21 take a position inthe walls 8, 9, whereas in the right channel 2 in the closedconfiguration they are pushed close, maintaining a certain clearance, tothe roller 27. In this embodiment, it is possible to use the directingelements 26 in a similar way as in the previous embodiment.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the channel 2 is provided with onecylindrically shaped supporting element 29 which is rotatably mountedand which in the open configuration takes a position in a groove 30 inthe wall 8, i.e. in the limiting region 6, whereas in the closedconfiguration it takes a position in the channel 2.

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of the channel hopper 1 for themulti-chamber tray 3 wherein the supporting elements 31, 32 having theform of bars parallel to the walls 8, 9 are used, whereas the directingelements 26 are attached to the walls 8, 9. In the following embodimentssupporting elements 31, 32 acts on deflecting elements 26 to supportrod-like articles within the channel 2 in the closed configuration,supporting elements holds all mechanic stress being imposed to thestructure by the mass of the rod-like elements supported in the channel,while deflecting element 26 is responsible for a gentle handling of therod-like elements. Supporting elements 31, 32 and deflecting elements 26constitute a supporting unit, supporting elements 31, 32 and deflectingelements 26 are jointly involved in the supporting action. The bar 31 isattached to a rotatable drive mechanism (not shown in the drawing) andhas the possibility of making an about ¼ rotation around the axis 33 inthe anticlockwise direction, while the also rotatably mounted bar 32 hasthe possibility of making an about ¼ rotation around the axis 34 in theclockwise direction. The supporting elements 31, 32 move along the paths35, 36, disclosed supporting elements 31, 32 have a circularcross-section, whereas they may have any other cross-section, forexample semicircular. The left channel 2 shows the supporting elements31, 32 in the open configuration, whereas the right channel 2 shows thesupporting elements 31, 32 in the closed configuration. In the openconfiguration, the supporting elements 31, 32 take a position within thelimiting region 6 under the limiting element 7, in the closedconfiguration the supporting elements 31, 32 take a position in thechannel 2. During the change from open to closed configuration thedirecting elements 26 are arched under the pressure of the rod-likearticles. A similar embodiment is shown in FIG. 11 where the bars alsomove along the arched paths 35, 36, whereas they are differentlysituated, and the supporting elements 31, 32 in the open configurationtake a position in the cavities 37 in the walls 8, 9 in the limitingregions. The directing elements 26 are attached to springs 46, due towhich the tightening of the directing elements 26 is ensured in theclosed configuration.

FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of the channel hopper 1′ for thesingle-chamber tray 10 wherein the supporting elements 38, 39 having theform of bars parallel to the walls 11 are used, whereas the directingelements 26 are attached to the walls 11. The bar 38 is attached to alinear drive mechanism (not shown in the drawing) and moves along thepath 40, whereas the bar 39 which is also slidably linearly mountedmoves along the path 41. The supporting elements 38, 39 have asemicircular cross-section, whereas any other cross-section is possible.The left channel 2 shows the supporting elements 38, 39 in the openconfiguration, whereas the right channel 2 shows the supporting elements38, 39 in the closed configuration. In the open configuration, thesupporting elements 38, 39 take a position within the limiting region 6underneath the limiting element 11, in the closed configuration thesupporting elements 38, 39 take a position in the channel 2. During thechange from open to closed configuration the directing elements 26 arearched under the pressure of the rod-like articles 4.

FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of the channel hopper 1′ for thesingle-chamber tray 10 wherein the supporting elements 42, 43, whichhave the form of flat elements made of an elastic material and are archshaped in the free state, are used. The supporting elements 42, 43 arelocated in the channels 44, 45, whereas a not shown linear drivemechanism moves the supporting elements 42, 43 along the channels 44,45, up and down in the drawing. The part of the supporting element 42,43 protruding from the channel 44, 45 has its normal i.e. arched shape,and the part of the supporting element 42, 43 in the channel 44, 45remains flat. In the left channel 2 the supporting elements 42, 43 beingin the open configuration protrude from the walls 11 to a small extentand take a position in the limiting region 6. In the right channel 2 thesupporting elements 42, 43 being in the closed configuration protrude toan extent which allows blocking the rod-like articles 4 in the channel2, and are partially inserted into the channel 2.

All embodiments of the hopper shown may be used for single-chamber traysas well as for multi-chamber trays. In the embodiments shown, thechannels have the same volume, whereas it is possible to build a hopperprovided with channels with different volumes. The channels in thehopper have a constant volume so that the flow of the rod-like articlesthrough the channels may take place without disturbances. The operationof the supporting elements does not affect the channel volume, i.e. thechannel volume is not changed during the change from closed to openconfiguration and vice versa.

An embodiment of a filler of multi-chamber trays is shown in FIG. 14.The filler is provided with a conveyor 50 for conveying empty trays, aunit for moving the tray being filled (not visible in the drawing), aconveyor 51 for conveying filled trays, a feeder 52 of rod-likearticles, a hopper 53 comprising a receiving region 54, and a channelhopper 1 for loading the multi-chamber tray 3. The channel hopper 1 isshown in a simplified form.

An embodiment of an unloader of single-chamber trays is shown in FIG.15. The unloader is provided with a conveyor 60 for conveying filledtrays, a handling unit 61 for turning of the filled tray, a hopper 62comprising a channel hopper 1′ (shown in a simplified form in FIG. 16)for emptying the single-chamber tray 10, and a conveyor 63 for conveyingempty trays. In the embodiment shown, the rod-like articles are fed tothe conveyor 64 in such a way that in successive channels theconfiguration of the supporting elements is changed from closed to open,and the inlet 65 of the conveyor 64 is moved below the successivechannels of the hopper 1′.

1. A channel hopper (1, 1′) for rod-like articles (4) wherein the flowof the rod-like articles (4) through the channels (2) of the hoppertakes place in the form of a mass flow under the influence of gravity,comprising: at least two channels (2) for storage of rod-like articles(4), the channel being provided with an inlet (2A) and an outlet (2B)for rod-like articles and with side walls (8, 9), whereas the channel(2) is situated between limiting regions (6), and the limiting region(6) comprises a limiting element (7, 11) having a lateral surface whichlimits the space of the channel (2), and movable supporting elementsadapted to change their configuration from open configuration to closedconfiguration and vice versa, whereas in the open configuration the flowof rod-like articles (4) through the channels (2) is enabled, and in theclosed configuration the flow of rod-like articles (4) through thechannels (2) is blocked, characterized in that at least one movablesupporting element in the open configuration takes a position at leastpartially in the limiting region (6), and in the closed configurationtakes a position at least partially inside the channel (2).
 2. Thehopper of claim 1, characterized by comprising two movable supportingelements which in the open configuration take a position at leastpartially in adjacent limiting regions (6), and in the closedconfiguration take a position at least partially in the channel (2)between adjacent limiting regions (6).
 3. The hopper of claim 1,characterized in that the width of the limiting region (d2) is smallerthan the width (d1) of the channel (2), in particular the width of thelimiting region is in the range between 10% and 50% of the channel width(2).
 4. The hopper of claim 1, characterized in that the movablesupporting element in the open configuration is situated inside the sidewall (8, 9).
 5. The hopper of claim 1, characterized in that the movablesupporting element in the open configuration is situated in whole in thelimiting region (6).
 6. The hopper of claim 1, characterized in that themovable supporting element (20, 21, 29) has the form of a cylindricalsurface sector.
 7. The hopper of claim 6, characterized in that themovable supporting element (20, 21) has a guiding roller (25).
 8. Thehopper of claim 1, characterized in that the movable supporting element(31, 32, 38, 39) has the form of a bar.
 9. The hopper of claim 1,characterized in that movable supporting element (20, 21, 29, 31, 32) isarranged to make a swing movement.
 10. The hopper of claim 1,characterized in that movable supporting element (37, 38) is arranged tomake a linear movement.
 11. The hopper of claim 1, characterized in thatmovable supporting element in the open configuration is situated atleast partially inside a limiting element (7, 11).
 12. The hopper ofclaim 1, characterized in that the movable supporting element (31, 32,38, 39) in the open configuration is situated at least partially underthe limiting element (7,11).
 13. The hopper of claim 1, characterized inthat a guiding element (26) made of a fabric, a plastic material or ametal mesh is attached to the limiting element (7, 11).
 14. The hopperof claim 1, characterized in that the channel (2) has a constant volume.15. A filler for loading a container (3, 10) with rod-like articles (4)comprising a conveyor (51) of empty containers, a unit for moving thecontainer being filled, a conveyor (52) of filled containers, and a massflow hopper for rod-like articles, characterized by being provided witha channel hopper according to claim
 1. 16. An unloader for emptying acontainer (3, 10) of rod-like articles (4) comprising a conveyor offilled containers, a handling unit for turning of the filled container,and a conveyor of empty containers, characterized by being provided witha channel hopper according to claim 1.